Maple Leafs News

Maple Leafs sign Auston Matthews to entry-level contract

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has signed forward Auston Matthews, the first overall selection in the 2016 NHL Draft, to a three-year entry-level contract.

Matthews, 18, collected 46 points (24 goals, 22 assists) in 36 games with the NLA’s ZSC Lions last season, while registering nine points (six goals, three assists) in 10 games with the United States at the IIHF World Championship and 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in seven games at the IIHF World Junior Championship. He was honoured as one of the United States’ Top 3 players at both tournaments.

In 2014-15, Matthews registered 117 points (55 goals, 62 assists) with the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) Under-18 team, breaking the previous record of 102 set by Patrick Kane in 2005-06.

The Scottsdale, Arizona native was named to Team North America’s roster for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey earlier this year.